Climate change and greening general practice
Practical support and resources for GPs and general practices to help reduce carbon emissions.
The College Board has committed to working in a way that is more environmentally sustainable. Part of that is providing information, support and resources for GPs and general practices to help you on your journey.
The College's commitment
The College's original climate change position statement, published in 2016, was updated in May 2024 to show our support for actions that move Aotearoa New Zealand's health sector towards sustainability.
Summary of our position
The College supports:
- calls for urgent action to address climate change in ways that promote the health of individuals, whanau and communities and improve health equity and collective approaches to change
- iwi and hapu assertions of rangatiratanga (autonomy) under Te Tiriti o Waitangi to manage climate change risks and promote the wellbeing of their people, ancestral land, water, sites, wahi tapu, valued flora and fauna and other taonga.
- efforts from our members and general practice teams to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on health, promoting healthy climate-friendly treatments and lifestyle choices that contribute to improving the sustainability of health care in New Zealand and the Pacific
- actions the move the New Zealand health sector towards sustainability.
College action
- Campaign to encourage changing asthma prescribing practices to reduce emissions, such as dry-powder inhalers instead of metered-dose inhalers
- Our 2024 conference had a clear climate change and sustainability theme with a panel discussion, "How to future proof patients' health, our practices and primary care from the effects of climate change." A recording of the panel discussion will be available in November.
- Regular stories championing the College and members' commitment to climate change across the sector in GP Voice. For example, see the February, June, July and September 2024 issues.
- Our Greening General Practice toolkit written in 2011, was reviewed in 2016 by Dr Rebecca Randerson and Dr Rochelle Phipps and provides advice and guidance.
- In November 2019 the College Board signed Ora Taiao's "Climate change and Health: Health Professionals' Joint Call for Action"
Practical steps to greater environmental sustainability
At your practice there are a variety of everyday changes you can make to reduce your impact on the environment.
Infrastructure
-
LED lightbulbs
A typical eight- or nine-watt energy saving lightbulb can provide as much light as a normal 60-watt incandescent bulb and lasts more than 10 times as long (10,000 hours for energy saving compared to 1,000 hours for incandescent).
-
Turn off electrical devices/computers
Simply by turning off computers/screens/electrical devices overnight, you can save on power and cut your carbon footprint.
-
Energy-saving devices
Purchasing low energy LCD computer or TV screens, energy efficient fridges and freezers and dryers will reduce your environmental impact by cutting your power use. Better made appliances often last longer too.
If your heating and cooling systems run on a timer, set the timer for work hours to save on power and cut carbon emissions.
-
Insulation
Installing proper wall insulation in your practice's walls and ceilings, draught excluders on doors and windows, and insulating your hot water cylinder will make your practice more energy efficient and cut your power bills.
Office supplies
-
Office paper/envelopes
Most supplies of A4 office paper are recycled; look for paper that is from sustainable forests or is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved. Purchase recycled envelopes, or envelopes with a high recycled paper content where possible.
-
Hygiene paper
Look for toilet roll that is FSC or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) approved or has the Environmental Choice New Zealand mark.
-
Ink cartridge refills
A growing number of companies will sell remanufactured cartridges or will sell ink you can use to refill cartridges, rather than binning them and buying new ones.
Transport
-
Working from home
Is there work (perhaps paperwork or admin work) some of your staff could do from home with one full day or part of a day each week? For daily commutes of more than six kms you are likely to use less carbon not travelling to work than you will use in power while working from home.
-
Telehealth
The College promotes the use of telehealth across practices. Providing telehealth consultations reduces travel for patients and doctors, again cutting carbon emissions and reducing your environmental impact.
-
Public transport
Is there a way you can encourage or support staff to use public transport to get to and from work? This can cut your carbon emissions and help the environment.
-
Be bike friendly
Providing bike stands for people cycling to the practice, for staff and patients, to secure their bike to can again cut your carbon emissions.
Energy
-
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)
The Crown entity established to encourage, promote, and support energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy. A one-stop-shop for advice and resources in this area. Visit their website.
-
Gen Less
Advice website enabling you to assess your environmental footprint, such as whether solar energy will work for you, how to avoid power hungry appliances and advice on running energy efficient workplaces. Visit their website.
-
Future Fit
Measure your total annual carbon footprint and get suggested actions to reduce it, such as installing solar powered water heating or solar panels. Visit their website.
-
Ecotricity
100 percent renewable energy retailer whose power comes from hydro, wind and solar. Visit their website.
-
Meridian
New Zealand's largest renewable energy retailer. Visit their website.
-
Product Stewardship
The Ministry for the Environment has created a list of companies in New Zealand that have been accredited for their voluntary steps towards product stewardship, where products are reused or recycled as part of a circular economy. These include concrete recycling and reuse, milk for schools, and ink and photocopying recycling. Visit their website.